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Sweeping Day: Squeeze

Sweeping. Before sweeping dip the broom in hot soapsuds, and have at hand a pailful of soapsuds in which to rinse the broom when it becomes dusty. Squeeze out the water so that the broom is damp but not wet. This practice toughens the straw, makes the broom last much longer, and softens it so that it does not cut the carpet. A damp broom also takes up the dirt better than a dry one and prevents the dust from rising in the air. To prevent dust when sweeping wet a newspaper, tear it in small pieces, and scatter them over the carpet. Squeeze the paper so that it will not drip.

Or sprinkle the carpet with moist tea leaves, which may be saved daily for this purpose.

If a room is heated by hot air, a good deal of dust will come up through the register. To prevent this, place a fine wire screen or two or three thicknesses of cloth under the register, so that the hot air will be screened. in passing through. When shaking down the furnace or removing the ashes sprinkle wet sawdust over the ashes. This will prevent filling the house with dust. When upholstered! furniture, draperies, carpets, and Oriental rugs require dusting, lay over them large pieces of cheese cloth or outing flannel wrung out of cold: water, and beat them with a stick or small carpet beater. As the dust arises it will adhere to the wet cloths, and these can be rinsed occasionally.